This is from Rich Dana, of I-RENEW: Hi Folks- Mark up will be starting soon on the senate energy bill, and is essential that we make it known that any energy legislation that is passed must have a strong renewable energy component. Sen. Jeffords has proposed a national renewable energy standard that would help create the fair marketplace for renewables, while improving environmental quality and increasing our national security by reducing dependence on foreign fuel supplies. Senator Grassley is a key player in this debate- he supported an RES last year and we need to remind him to continue that support. Please call or fax his office and ask him to sign Senator Jeffords letter of support for the bill - his support will be key in getting the Republican support necessary to make a national renewable energy energy standard a reality. Please contact Mr. Grassley's office at: 202-224-3744 or fax 202-224-6020 Talking points: Benefits of a Strong Renewable Electricity Standard: An RES would save consumers money on their utility bills, benefit farmers, spur economic development, improve our energy security and reduce pollution that threatens public health. … The RES is good for consumers. A study by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows that a renewable electricity standard of 20 percent by 2020 would lower natural gas prices, and result in no net increase in consumer energy bills. … The RES will spur economic development. According to the Department of Energy, generating just 5% of U.S. electricity use from wind power alone by 2020 could provide $1.2 billion in new income for farmers and rural landowners and create 80,000 new jobs. … The RES keeps our energy dollars working at home. The UCS analysis found that by 2020 last year's Senate passed RES would produce 74,000 megawatts of electricity -- enough electricity to power 53 million homes. The Jeffords bill (Senate) would do even more to keep our energy dollars at home. … The RES increases our energy security. By diversifying our energy supply and reducing our reliance on centralized power sources, we can make our electricity supply less vulnerable to disruption. … The RES takes us a step towards a clean, safe and affordable energy future . The increased use of clean renewable electricity will reduce air pollution from dirty fossil-fueled power plants that threaten public health. Nationally, the weaker RES passed by the Senate last year would reduce carbon emissions - a major cause of global warming - by about 27 million metric tons by the year 2020. The Jeffords bill (Senate) would result in even greater CO2 emissions reductions. Thanks everyone for supporting a strong renewable electricity standard! Please contact me with any questions. -Rich [log in to unmask] Erin E. Jordahl Director, Iowa Chapter Sierra Club 3839 Merle Hay Road, Suite 280 Des Moines, IA 50310 515-277-8868 [log in to unmask] www.iowa.sierraclub.org Erin E. Jordahl Director, Iowa Chapter Sierra Club 3839 Merle Hay Road, Suite 280 Des Moines, IA 50310 515-277-8868 [log in to unmask] www.iowa.sierraclub.org Erin E. Jordahl Director, Iowa Chapter Sierra Club 3839 Merle Hay Road, Suite 280 Des Moines, IA 50310 515-277-8868 [log in to unmask] www.iowa.sierraclub.org